Jobs and dignity: Kerala shows the way forward in transgender rights

29-year-old Tripthi is making a living by working as a cashier at a restaurant named Pappadavada in Kochi.

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Thiruvananthapuram

July 20, 2016

UPDATED: July 21, 2016 14:16 IST

Tripthi Shetty

Less than a month after few transgenders became victims of brutality on the streets of Kochi, members of the community are now making a mark in and around the city. From being the cover girl of a magazine to working at famous restaurants in the city, the dream of a dignified life is slowly turning into a reality for at least some members in the community.

28-year-old Deepthi Nair, a transgender, has created history by becoming the cover girl of Vanitha, a leading women's magazine in Kerala. Deepthi was Shinoj until two years ago but is now a famous model.

Few kilometers away, 29-year-old Tripthi too is making a living by working as a cashier at a restaurant named Pappadavada in Kochi.

"Who wants to live by begging? Transgenders take up socially unacceptable jobs because nobody is ready to give us jobs. When I joined here, except the restaurant owner, I did not tell anyone that I am a transgender. I was scared how they will treat me. After a month, I revealed my identity. But no one mistreated me. Staff and customers all treat me well. They call me chechi (elder sister)," says Tripthi.

Kiran Shetty, changed her sex three years ago through surgery to become Tripthi Shetty but life has not been easy for this Kasargod native since then. She lost both her parents to death and took to begging.

"We are all equal. Being a transgender is not a negative thing. We should accept that and move forward. That's why I employed Tripthi here. She never gives excuses, is always punctual and is the most dedicated employee here," says Minu Pauline, owner of the restaurant Pappadavada.

Setting an example, Kochi Metro Rail Limited had in June opened its doors to the third gender offering them housekeeping and customer service jobs in Metro once it begins functioning in 2017.

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